Most adults give up snacking and generally eat only one main meal and two smaller meals during the day. And when I first heard Catholics were supposed to practice “fasting and abstinence,” I thought “Oh goodness. Lent is commemoration of the temptation of Jesus Christ and also the Last Supper, His betrayal, arrest, crucifixion and death. Lent traditionally lasts 40 days, modeled after Christ's forty day fast in the desert, and ends on Good Friday. The Catholic Church does make several exceptions to this requirement, particularly in instances were fasting would cause health concerns. Please note: several of the recipes do involve chicken stock. What questions do you still have about what you can eat during Lent? This is easier to follow. It’s a lot to remember. We keep your information safe in accordance with our privacy policy. You should probably mention it the next time you’re at confession as well, just to be safe. Can. Copyright ©2021, EQUIPPING GODLY WOMEN MINISTRIES, LLC. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter. Take a look at this easy Lenten eating guide. Not only can we not eat meat, but we can’t have sex either? Of the Lenten fast or Quadragesima, the first mention is in the fifth canon of the council of Nicaea (325), and from this time it is frequently referred to, but chiefly as a season of preparation for baptism, of absolution of penitents or of retreat and recollection. Even those who barely believe in God or go to church are, somehow, religious! Catholics here in Germany are supposed to fast every day fom Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter with the exception of sundays. Traditionally pancakes are made from the flour, dairy, eggs and milk that will not be consumed for the next 40 days, simply as a way to clear out the cupboards of the food. Hi Brittany, thank you so much for this information. Your soul depends on it (and possibly your children’s souls as well). After that I spoke to God and asked forgiveness, for me enjoying the Coffee …during Lent too!. I’m actually a vegetarian, but I do believe giving something up is super important. If my neighbor’s kids jump on their couch, is that wrong? Sure, the church could have said “Just do whatever you want,” but that leaves a lot open to interpretation. Catholic Lenten Fasting Rules Exceptions and Exemptions Most protestants who observe Lent in some way here in Germany start a week later because they do not “pause” on sundays. This definition has been refined recently by the Church in terms of what's allowed during Lent. Of or relating to Lent: Lenten observances. For lunch, my main meal, I had a large bowl of poke and quinoa. You said you are still not Catholic. To many believers there, the religious culture given them a bad taste in their mouth about Lent since Catholics have a lot of rules about what you can and cannot eat during Lent.” […], […] certain restrictions on what Catholics can and cannot eat during Lent, fish is pretty much a staple this time of year. On every other day of the week, Catholics eat like normal (unless they voluntarily chose to also give something up for Lent). When we talk about Catholic fasting and abstinence, it helps to know what we’re talking about. Great Lent is upon us. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and shellfish are permitted, as are animal derived products such as margarine and gelatin which do not have any meat taste. Also, on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent, adult Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat. For more on this issue, please see my post: Who has the Ultimate Authority? The American Roman Catholic individual’s “Fast Day”, allows for the consumption of likely enough food to feed an impoverished third world family for a week. Eastern Orthodox Christians fast from all meat, dairy, oil, and wine every day throughout all of Lent. Certain scholars and theologians think that Jesus may have drank water while in the wilderness since the Bible doesn’t say that he was thirsty after his forty day fast (see Matthew 4:2). Today, however, most Catholics follow the Catholic fasting rules because we agree that this 40-day period of reflection, humility, repentance and sacrifice is ultimately good for our spiritual health (and, ultimately, because the church said so). You can eat a wide variety of simple, meatless meals, such as pancakes, eggs, spaghetti, cheese pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, salad, vegetable soup, fish, shrimp and more. What does the South African term padkos mean? . Abstain on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday AND all Fridays during Lent. 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